March 21st, 2008 by admin in golf instruction
There are many problems that can develop with a golf swing. Everyone that plays the game develops swing flaws at one time or another so it’s pretty safe to say that they aren’t going to go away any time soon. The root cause of these various swing problems is lack of proper instruction. If you have a golf swing problem do not feel like you are alone in the world.
Receiving the proper instruction from a qualified professional will go a long way in preventing chronic swing problems, especially with beginners. When a player develops a golf swing problem, most of the time, they tend to want to self-correct. This usually does not work very well if there is not the adequate knowledge of swing fundamentals. Fellow players are happy to volunteer swing-fixes but do they really know what they are talking about? The point here is that the best thing to do when a swing problem develops is to go to a golf instructor for help, not your well meaning playing partner.
A very common golf swing problem is the slice. The slice is caused from an outside to inside swing path. With a right handed golfer the clubface strikes the ball from outside the swing plane from a right to left direction. This causes left to right sidespin on the golf ball. The ball starts straight for a short distance, the spinning action takes over and it curves sharply to the right. This golf swing problem is easily corrected by taking the club back on an “inside” plane and striking so that the ball is struck squarely at impact. If the club path is correct the clubface will impart reverse spin to the ball which causes it to go high and straight.
Another common golf swing problem is lack of shot distance. There can be several causes for this problem but the most common causes are not making a full release of the clubhead and not executing the proper body turn on the backswing. The best way to release the club fully is not to “try” to release the club at all. Just take the club back properly, start forward with your body and allow the club to release on it’s own. Remember, if you do not make the correct body turn on the backswing, you cannot generate the kind of torque that will create a good release. The natural release occurs automatically and results in much greater shot distance. A full and complete body turn going back and a proper release of the club at impact are essential in playing good golf.
January 30th, 2008 by admin in Golf Book
A typical golf instruction manual should include a step by step description of all the swing basics. It should be written in a very clear and concise fashion that is easy to understand and comprehend. Included should be swing diagrams with ample explanation for each drawing. A golf instruction manual should also have plenty of photo’s.
Sometimes you will find a golf instruction manual to contain subject matter that relates to one particular topic such as: putting manuals, swing manuals, rule manuals, etiquette manuals and even betting manuals! If you want to concentrate directly on one aspect of your game, using a manual that deals with a specific topic would be more productive. With a little reseach I am sure that you will be able to find one that will be right for you.
The internet would be an excellent source to find a good golf instruction manual. You can obviously go to your local golf course or retail store. Another great source for golf manuals is your local library. Not that long ago manuals were only available in paper form but now you can get all sorts of titles on DVD. I think the DVD’s are great because of the ability you have to re-run each scene or segment.
Their downside is that the only way you can use them is with a DVD player. On the other hand, manuals in paperback form can be carried around with you. I have played many rounds of golf where a rule manual came in very handy to settle a discrepancy or an infraction. In fact, I would not feel comfortable playing a round of golf withoutone in my bag.
One golf instruction manual that I have seen deals strickly with the psychological aspect of the game. One of my old sayings is that ” golf is a game played mostly between your ears”! That is why golf psychology is becoming a very important topic these days. Of course, there have been times when I thought I should see a “shrink” because of my game but that is another story all together.
Tiger Woodsis a perfect example of the importance of golf psychology. Next time watch Tiger and note how high his level of concentration is during a tournament. He’s never “down” and he’s rarely “up”! He knows just how destructive emotions can be while playing. Have you ever noticed how far your shots go when you are “pumped”? A good golf instruction manual based on this topic will make your game much more interesting and enjoyable. Isn’t that what this game is all about?
January 23rd, 2008 by admin in Golf Swing
One of the most significant truisms in the game of golf is that everyone wants a better golf swing. If this is true then why doesn’t everyone have a swing like Hale Irwin? The reason is because many people just don’t want to invest the time it takes to develop a beautiful golf swing.
Let’s be honest here, some players are born with a solid silver Wedge in their hands. What I mean is that some folks, although not common, have an almost perfect swing the first time they pick up a golf club. Most children under 10 years of age have a very natural and good looking swing. What generally tends to wreck their swing is some well intentioned adult who tries to give them a golf lesson. If your swing is far from perfect one way to develop a better golf swing is through
personal instruction, practice and playing experience. Like it or not, we almost all have swing flaws. It is a rare golfer that can self-correct themselves so the need for a qualified PGA golf instructor is great.
Besides signing up for golf lessons the next thing you must do is devise a really good practice plan and stick to it. Don’t go to the range with your whole set of clubs. Just take 2 clubs and concentrate on only those two for that session. An instructor can show you how to develop a better golf swing, however, you are the one that is going to have to hone it. Practicing is not going to the range and just hitting a lot of balls. Practicing is when you go to the range to accomplish a goal. The majority of time spent on the range should be spent with the medium to short irons because these are the “scoring” clubs. A better golf swing is developed through repetition, repetition and more repetition.
The one thing to remember is that even if you try hard to build a better golf swing it may not happen as planned. Do not get discouraged because throughout golf history there have been some fairly “ugly” swings that have won their owners millions of dollars! Bobby Jones, who had one of the nicest looking swings in golf, once said that the only thing that really matters is that “your clubface is square at the point of impact”.
January 21st, 2008 by admin in golf instruction
When most people think of a golf guide they think in terms of information that will help them find a golf course. There are a wide variety of golf guides online and there should be no difficulty finding one that will help you to decide which course/s you would enjoy playing.
A golf guide web-sites give very accurate and informative information about golf courses located all over the U.S. Every site should give you a “course profile”. The profile should include information such as the name of the club pro, complete course details, green fees, restaurant facilities and any other information that would help you make an informed decision. The course specifications should also be available along with any other course information. Some of the web-sites have all sorts of other helpful information also.
There are some sites that include volumes of information with such topics as golf equipment, golf instruction, golf vacations, golf real estate, golf jobs and even golf gifts. They can even make arrangements for you to find a new golfing partner or learn about U.S.G.A. Rules. They offer golf lessons and swing analysis while others may offer golf classifieds where you can either purchase or sell golf equipment. A good golf guide is very similar to a travel agency, they will take you anywhere you wish to go. You can find a golf vacation package that suites your needs and even make travel arrangements for you.
So what would you do if you had a vacation planned for Myrtle Beach, SC? Locate a golf guide web-site and start researching. Look for the type of resort you would like to stay at. Is there a golf course attached to the resort and if so, what is it’s rating? How many restaurants are available at the resort? How far is the nearest big city? These are just some of the questions that you can learn about when researching a golf guide web-site.
You should look for a great resort location, proximity to several championship golf courses, plenty of good restaurants and things to do other than play golf. A good golf guide will help you to find the ideal location for your next vacation.
January 18th, 2008 by admin in Driver
We all need to be very honest about the topic of golf distance. The reason being that everyone that plays the game of golf is preoccupied with getting good distance. This article will examine the many misconceptions about shot distance.
Almost every bit of advertisement these days, whether it is about golf balls, clubs or accessories, entices the golfer by offering greater distance of some sort or another. “Using our driver will give you more distance off the tee” or “try our new xxx golf ball for greater distance,” they exclaim! In the meantime they try to convince you that “distance” is really number one. Golf distance has been so ingrained into our psyche that we even make sure we inquire about distance when buying just about any new golf item.
Playing good golf is more about accuracy than about distance. Granted, hitting a 275 yard drive off the tee is a great fun but if it isn’t accurate and on the fairway, it won’t do much to help your score. What good does it do to hit a Pitching Wedge 140 yards if it is not hit accurately? Distance is important but I’ll take accuracy over distance any day. To prove my point just look at the L.P.G.A. Tour. There is no way that these excellent women golfers can hit the ball as far as most male PGA Tour Players, yet, their scores are very commensurate with men. Yes the courses they play are, for the most part shorter but this proves my point, which is that golf distance is not as important as golf accuracy.
I think every golfer needs to step back and ask themselves just how important golf distance really is to their game. Which is more worthwhile a 275 yard drive that lands in deep rough or a 240 yard drive that lands in the center of the fairway? In my view, striving for greater distance is the single biggest contributor to poor scores. Rather than swinging “within themselves,” many golfers try to “kill” the ball. This is a chronic problem which is relatively easy to correct with the use of the proper mental discipline.
January 17th, 2008 by admin in Golf Accessories
Many golfers are not aware of this very new and innovative technology. A golf ball finder is an electronic device that can quickly locate your lost ball. Most varieties work with any standard white golf ball. Digital photo imaging is behind this new development. Some ball finders incorporate a super-fast imager that can locate a golf ball with a range of up to 35-feet if only 1% of the ball is visible. These devices are battery operated and can be clipped to your belt for very convenient usage.
There is one particular product endorsed by golfing great Nick Faldo called The Ballfinder Scout. This unit uses a video-like camera and can search up to 600 square feet in on e second which equals 1/7 of an acre in 10 seconds. All of the 3.2 million pixels are scanned in nanoseconds and analyzed. The GLS locating system is scanning for a unique color signature stamped on any standard white golf ball. This unique golf ball finder requires only 1% of the ball to be visible (3 dimples). The Ballfinder Scout will not locate a ball if it is in the water or if it is totally covered.
A golf ball finder is used to speed up play which will greatly increase the enjoyment of every member of your group. The Ballfinder Scout is very easy to use. Just point the unit in the approximate area where you think the ball landed as you are walking toward it. There is a green neon button to press. Once the unit is turned on, slowly scan the area where your ball may be and keep it pointed below the horizon. Now you have a second pair of more sophisticated eyes. Once the ball finder locates the ball it will vibrate and the blue directional lights will come on. Walk in the direction the lights are pointing to locate your golf ball. It is just that simple to use.
Add up the minutes you spend each year searching for your own golf ball and that of your playing partner’s and you will understand just how convenient a golf ball finder can be. On top of everything else, your golfing friends will love you to death for using one. This isn’t one of those “frill” products, it is a very useful item and well worth the investment. Ball finders cost in the vicinity of $90.00.
January 16th, 2008 by admin in Golf Clubs
Karstan Solheim had an unusual arrival on the golf scene when the putter he was building had a ring to it every time the ball was struck. Soleheim, at the time a General Electric mechanical engineer, stroked putts with his newly designed putter which had a distinct ring whenever the ball was struck and that is where the name “Ping” came from. Ping Golf has been an industry leader ever since those first few “pings” took place in Solheim’s garage in 1959.
Soon after, Karstan moved from his home in Redwood, California to Phoenix, Arizona where he started Ping Golf Corporation. At this time one of his first developments was the Ping Anser putter which is still in use in Today’s PGA Tour events. The Anser putter was named by his wife. She asked Karsten what the name of his new putter was and he said he “did not have an answer”. His wife said “the name for your new putter will be anser without the W”!….and so it was.
In the 1970’s Ping Golf acquired a casting foundry and heat treating plant which allowed Solheim to control the entire club making process. This was a major step towards having the kind of built in quality that he desired in his golf clubs. Giant strides were made in building custom fitted clubs for everyone that ordered Ping golf clubs with the Ping Eye fitting system. There were a series of color codes which corresponded to a slight difference in the clubs (lie, loft, flex etc.). A golfer was measured at a Ping dealer and from those measurements a color code was assigned to the player.
In the 1980’s the Eye 2 irons, the L-Wedge and lightweight carry bags were developed. During this period the “square grooves” were also incorporated in the Ping golf club design. There was much controversy with the U.S.G.A. and the PGA over the square grooves but eventually the debate was resolved in Ping’s favor. In the 80’s Ping putters dominated the majors by winning 26 out of 40 grand slam events, including all four in 1988.
Solheim’s youngest son John Solheim assumed control of Ping Golf in 1995. At that time he introduced the TiSL driver, Isopur putter, i3 irons and Hoofer carry bag. John operates the company differently than his father because he invites key customers to his factory whereas his father was much more secretive. In 1999 Ping Golf celebrated it’s 40th Anniversary in the golf industry. Ping Golf, in every way, is truly an American success story.
January 15th, 2008 by admin in Golf Instructions
Golf instruction for seniors should be approached in a different manner than younger players. As we age our muscles lose their elasticity and this tends to have a detrimental effect on our golf swing. This should have a major influence on the way instructors conduct their senior golf instruction programs. Teachers need to place more emphasis on warm up techniques for older players.
If you are a senior and taking lessons how much time does your instructor spend on this aspect of your golf game, I’ll bet not very much at all? Most instructors tend to concentrate on what teachers do best and that is teach! Let’s have a look at some warm up exercises and see if we can’t add another 15 yards to your shots no matter what your age group may be.
- The back muscles play a critical role in any good swing. Take your driver, place it across your back and between your elbows. Now twist your body to the left and to the right for about 10 to 15 repetitions. This maneuver will go a long way to prepare you for a full body turn during the swing.
- Next, grip the club as if you were going to hit a shot, hold it straight out in front of you and twist it left then right in a propeller-like fashion. About 15 reps on this one is all you need.
- Grip the club with both hands, one towards the grip and the other near the clubhead, extend the club directly over your head and rotate your body left and right. This movement is excellent to limber up your back muscles.
- While standing, extend one leg upwards so that your thigh is parallel with the ground. Grab your leg just below the knee and pull upwards slightly. This is meant to stretch the large muscles of your thighs which are critical for the generation of power during your swing.
It is very important that Senior golf instruction should include warm up activities. Senior golfers are much more prone to injury which is why warm up exercises are critical. Arnold Palmer, a player who has probably done more for the game of golf than any other player in history is a prime example. Once during a recent interview he was asked about what it was like to play golf as a senior and he said ” I spend so much more time doing warm up exercises before a round of golf “. Who should know better than the king himself!
January 9th, 2008 by admin in Golf Clubs
A Golf Club Set should be made up of, according to the U.S.G.A. Rules of Golf, 14 clubs. There are the long irons 1-4, the mid irons 5-8 and the short irons, which include the 9 iron, Pitching Wedge and Sand Wedge. Next are the 1 and 3 metal woods and the putter. This has been what most people refer to as the “standard set” for most of the 20th Century. Today’s technology has provided many more options for the modern golfer.
One of the biggest advances in golf club technology came with the advent of the Lob Wedge. Most companies now make pitching wedges in several different loft angles. Some examples are clubs that have 52, 54, 56, 58 and 60 degrees of loft. Many players that carry two wedges have to give up another club in their Golf Club Set in order to stay within the 14 club rule.
Another addition for today’s Golf Club Set is the hybrid iron. A hybrid club head is shaped like a metal wood, however, it is much smaller in size. The shaft is just a bit longer than your typical 2 or 3 iron. The hybrid was designed to allow the player to hit a long, high shot that has a lot of backspin. A shot hit correctly with a hybrid will land much “softer” than a typical long iron due to the high amount of backspin. Once again, if a hybrid is added to the set another club has to be removed.
Usually the only two additions to the Golf Club Set have been the extra wedges and/or the hybrids. As rare as it may be, some players will carry two drivers. Phil Mickelson, notorious for his erratic driving, carried two drivers in several major tournaments. His Callaway driver’s were each slightly different from the other.
A Golf Club Set is an individual’s choice. The clubs that make up your set should be based on “comfort and feel”. Your clubs, no matter what kind they are, have to “feel” right. If you are more comfortable with two putters it shouldn’t matter what everyone else is doing. As long as your set “feels right” it is right….as long as it is within the 14 club rule!
January 8th, 2008 by admin in Golf School
Florida has always been known for it’s world class golf courses but now it is widely recognized as being a golf school haven. It is one of many states such as Arizona, California, Nevada and South Carolina that offer year round attendance primarily because of their winter climate. There is one school, however, that sets Florida golf schools apart from all the others and its name is Advantage Golf School.
Advantage Golf Schools are located all over the United States with four of them located in the state of Florida. In 2006 this school was rated number one in the U.S. by Golf School Info.com the oldest golf school review site on the internet. There are 16 locations nationwide located
at some of the top resorts in the country. These schools offered the most personalized (one-to-one student/teacher ratio) as well as the most customized learning programs of any the schools reviewed by Golf School Info.com. Advantage’s Florida golf schools are located in Naples, Orlando St. Petersburg and Jacksonville/St. Augustine.
Florida golf schools (as with most others) include just about every golf amenity you can imagine. At Advantage you get daily one-to-one
personalized instructions with a PGA qualified instructor that remains with you throughout your course. Each program last’s from 2 to 5 days. Your day starts with a practice tee session in the morning followed by lunch and a personal nine hole playing lesson wi
